You can store kiln dried logs outside, provided they are raised off the ground, sheltered from rain and well ventilated. A roofed log store is a good option. A stable, raised stack with a properly secured cover can work too.

Kiln drying removes moisture before the logs reach you. It does not make the wood waterproof. If rain keeps getting into the stack, or the bottom row sits on wet ground, the logs can take up moisture again.

Choose the spot before your logs arrive

Look for somewhere with a firm base, drainage and room for air to move around the wood. Avoid the corner of the garden where water collects after heavy rain.

Think about access as well. You will need to move the logs into storage, then carry smaller loads to the house through winter. A dry store at the far end of a muddy garden soon becomes a nuisance.

If you are putting the store against a wall, leave a gap behind the logs. Do not pack the wood tightly against brickwork or fill every space up to the roof.

Keep the bottom row off the ground

Use a raised log-store floor, sound pallet or stable timber bearers to lift the logs clear of the ground. The support needs to carry the weight of the wood without rocking or collapsing.

Stack in manageable rows and keep the pile stable as you remove logs. Leave space for air underneath and around it. There is no benefit in building a tall stack if you cannot safely reach the top or it starts leaning as you use it.

Keep rain out without sealing the stack

A roof with an overhang is useful because it sheds rain while leaving the sides open to air. Position the opening to give the logs some shelter from driving rain.

If you use a tarpaulin, secure it over the top so water runs away from the wood. Leave ventilation around the stack rather than wrapping the whole load tightly in plastic. Check it after windy weather: a cover that has slipped or collected a pool of water needs sorting before the next downpour.

A closed, damp shed is not automatically better than an outdoor log store. What matters is keeping water out while allowing air to circulate.

Can you leave logs in the bulk bag or crate?

Yes, if the location gives them suitable protection. You do not have to empty every bag or crate into a separate store.

Our bulk bags contain 0.8m³ of loose logs. They can stay in the bag indoors; outside, they need a protective cover. Keep the load raised and ventilated rather than relying on the bag alone to keep the rain out.

Our crates contain approximately 2m³ of loose logs. You can leave the logs in the crate inside or under cover. If the crate is outdoors, protect it from rain and keep air moving around the wood.

Those quantities describe loose log volume. They are not a promise of the space the logs will occupy when neatly stacked. Measure your storage area before ordering, and make sure you can protect the whole load.

What if some of the logs get wet?

Move affected logs under cover, spread them out enough for air to reach them and check where the water entered. Look at the roof, cover, drainage and bottom of the stack rather than repeatedly moving wet logs into the same spot.

Rain on the outside does not tell you how much moisture is inside a log. Equally, a dry-looking surface is not proof that the centre is dry. Use a moisture meter if you are unsure.

HETAS recommends checking a freshly split surface, taking readings from the centre and sampling logs from different parts of the load. Follow the meter instructions and use the correct settings. For stove use, HETAS advises 20% moisture or lower, alongside any specific instructions from the appliance manufacturer.

Keep freshly cut or damp wood separate from logs that are ready to burn. Properly seasoned wood can also be dry enough to use; the moisture level matters, rather than whether it was dried in a kiln.

Bring in a small supply as you need it

Keep your main supply in its protected store and bring in a small amount for use indoors. Store it away from the stove and other heat sources, following your appliance instructions.

Before the next delivery, check the cover and base, use the older dry stock first and leave enough room for the new load. A storage space that stays dry and is easy to use will serve you better than a larger pile you cannot properly protect.